MOTOR CARS | 271The Aston Martin ‘RHAM/1’, known as ‘The Muncher’, was a highly
modified Aston Martin DBS V8 racing car, developed by Robin
Hamilton and built with the intention of competing at the Le Mans
24-Hour Race. After development by Hamilton, ‘RHAM/1’ competed
in the 1977 and 1979 Le Mans races, finishing 17th overall and
3rd in the GTP class in the 1977 event. The car has also held the
World Land Speed Record for towing a caravan, at the speed of
124.91mph.
Robin Hamilton subsequently built a second Le Mans-styled
DBS V8 competition car based on the look of ‘RHAM/1’ as it had
been in 1978. Offered here, that car was assembled for Peter
Griggs, who wanted a replica of ‘The Muncher’. Chassis number
‘DBSV810071R’ featured a glassfibre front end and Piper prepared
V8 engine, but no turbocharger, while the fuel injection system was
replaced by a quartet of Weber 48 IDA downdraft carburettors.
The car had some success with Griggs, winning a race at the
1981 AMOC Brands Hatch meeting, even though it was quite
heavy. In 1982 the car finished 2nd at Brands Hatch and 4th at an
Intermarque race at Silverstone.
In 1987 the car was bought by Richard Williams with the intentions
of upgrading it with an experimental 6.3-litre V8 engine and racing it
in Intermarque events. However, the Aston was then sold to Marsh
Plant Holdings where it was reassembled as ‘V8R003’ in 1991 and
raced on many occasions by John Freeman, Gary Pearson and
others in numerous races with great success. It is believed that the
car was at least tested by the late, great Gerry Marshall, and may
also have been raced by him on occasion.
Between 2007 and 2011, ‘DBSV810071R’ was stripped to a
bare shell and completely rebuilt by Roxwell Racing, with limited
running since. Now displacing 6.0 litres, the engine was rebuilt and
upgraded and currently produces 570bhp, while other noteworthy
features include a new AP triple-plate clutch; new Tex Racing T101A
NASCAR-type four-speed dog gearbox; new bespoke prop shaft;
overhauled differential; upgraded rear brakes; new AP Racing 6-pot
Pro 5000+ front brakes; new driveshafts with competition CV joints;
new up-rated rear hub shafts; new bespoke three-way adjustable
remote canister shock absorbers; nine new BBS 3-piece split-rim 18”
wheels; new lightweight fire system; new custom fuel tank; and new
Perspex windows (full specification available on request).Refinished in the Link Systems livery worn by ‘RHAM/1’ at Le
Mans in 1979, the car was set up and track tested on completion.
Highly competitive, it has been driven by Andy Jenkinson and John
Young in the Heritage GT Series and AMOC Intermarque series with
considerable success, and recently has been campaigned by Andrew
Smith and Euan Marshall in AMOC Intermarque and Masters Historic
Racing events.
£65,000 - 85,000
€79,000 - 100,000